Written by Suzanne Slade Illustrated by Joan Waites
Ages 4-8 Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2009
Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher
On this lively adventure, children will hone their addition skills by adding up animals all over the zoo. They will learn about animal behaviors, and they will learn the proper names for many baby animals. Did you know that baby bats are called pups or that baby giraffes are called calves?
Slade’s rhymes are fast-paced and fun, and Waites’ illustrations with borders are striking. The For Creative Minds section at the back provides extra addition activities as well as an animal matching activity that provides even more fun facts about the animals featured in this story. Did you know that a mama boa carries 20 to 60 neonates (baby boas) at one time! Did you know that baby kangaroos, commonly known as joeys, stay in their mother’s pouches for about 11 months before venturing out into the big wide world?
What’s New At The Zoo? is featured in Sylvan Dell’s brand new Ebook Revolution. Click here to read more about it and how you can get a free trial of all 45 Sylvan Dell titles.
Slade’s rhymes are fast-paced and fun, and Waites’ illustrations with borders are striking. The For Creative Minds section at the back provides extra addition activities as well as an animal matching activity that provides even more fun facts about the animals featured in this story. Did you know that a mama boa carries 20 to 60 neonates (baby boas) at one time! Did you know that baby kangaroos, commonly known as joeys, stay in their mother’s pouches for about 11 months before venturing out into the big wide world?
What’s New At The Zoo? is featured in Sylvan Dell’s brand new Ebook Revolution. Click here to read more about it and how you can get a free trial of all 45 Sylvan Dell titles.
And for an extra special treat this week, Laura Crawford had the opportunity to interview What’s New At The Zoo? author, Suzanne Slade:
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. I'm a wife, mother of two teens, and author. I've been writing full-time for about 13 years. The first eight of those years I received only rejection letters from publishers, but now I've written over 70 books for children. Lesson--persistence pays off!
WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
It depends on the type of book I'm writing. My picture book ideas have come from news articles, TV interviews, and from listening to kids. All I know is If I hear about something that gives me this really excited feeling and I blurt out, "That's cool!" before I realize it, then I know I may have a new book idea! Editors from educational publishers also give me ideas for books they would like me to write. They usually have really fun and creative book ideas.
WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
It depends on the type of book I'm writing. My picture book ideas have come from news articles, TV interviews, and from listening to kids. All I know is If I hear about something that gives me this really excited feeling and I blurt out, "That's cool!" before I realize it, then I know I may have a new book idea! Editors from educational publishers also give me ideas for books they would like me to write. They usually have really fun and creative book ideas.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
For me, writing a book happens in three parts: 1. The idea strikes! 2. Write a first draft 3. Edit, and polish, polish, polish!
I get really excited when I get a new idea and can't wait to start digging into my research. The hardest part is wrestling that idea into a manuscript that is clear, interesting, and has a voice. I love the edit and polish stage. That's when I see my hard work come together into something that I hope is fun and interesting to read.
For me, writing a book happens in three parts: 1. The idea strikes! 2. Write a first draft 3. Edit, and polish, polish, polish!
I get really excited when I get a new idea and can't wait to start digging into my research. The hardest part is wrestling that idea into a manuscript that is clear, interesting, and has a voice. I love the edit and polish stage. That's when I see my hard work come together into something that I hope is fun and interesting to read.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
Wow! I learn strange and very cool facts every time I write a book. Here are a few that come to mind right now: a baby peacock is called a peachick, the highest statue in Washington DC is the Lady of Freedom on top of the capital building, new Mississippi Gopher Frogs (an endangered animal with a population of only 100 at one time) are being created in test tubes at the Memphis Zoo.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
Well, I've got a couple projects going right now. I'm editing a picture book about endangered animals titled What's the Difference? (Sylvan Dell, 2010). This project has required extensive research about the eleven animals included in the book, as well as close communication with experts at the Fish and Wildlife Dept. I'm also working through a four-book contract about how different habitats are affected if one animal in the food chain should disappear. Lastly, I'm writing rough drafts for two new picture book ideas.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I've just started doing "virtual" school visits via Skype, which is rather surprising because I am technically challenged. I'm really enjoying these visits and the opportunity to meet children all across the country!
Wow! I learn strange and very cool facts every time I write a book. Here are a few that come to mind right now: a baby peacock is called a peachick, the highest statue in Washington DC is the Lady of Freedom on top of the capital building, new Mississippi Gopher Frogs (an endangered animal with a population of only 100 at one time) are being created in test tubes at the Memphis Zoo.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
Well, I've got a couple projects going right now. I'm editing a picture book about endangered animals titled What's the Difference? (Sylvan Dell, 2010). This project has required extensive research about the eleven animals included in the book, as well as close communication with experts at the Fish and Wildlife Dept. I'm also working through a four-book contract about how different habitats are affected if one animal in the food chain should disappear. Lastly, I'm writing rough drafts for two new picture book ideas.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I've just started doing "virtual" school visits via Skype, which is rather surprising because I am technically challenged. I'm really enjoying these visits and the opportunity to meet children all across the country!
This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up post at The Miss Rumphius Effect.
What a great interview! Suzanne is in my local SCBWI group (which I wish I could attend more often, my hubby has meetings the same night every month!)!
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